We Hear You! Letters from Our September 2012 Issue

The good stuff:
1) Role models:
I always appreciate reading about other successful women and in each More issue, I wind up liking the cover interview and (especially) the one-pager 'this is what (x age) looks like.' I also like that the magazine features women in their 40s, 50s, an 60s - I love seeing what paths these women have taken, what I might be able to expect at those ages, how I might be able to balance career and family, and what choices these women made that I might have to make someday. I also like that your magazine specifically chooses older women to feature since in much of the media, women disappear after a certain age even though they are more accomplished, have more interesting stories and have made more impact than their younger counterparts.

2) General interest blurbs:
Occasionally the fashion pieces have interesting bags, skirts, etc. Also, I like that the magazine has book and music reviews, recipes (although I don't really cook - I always think I might though! And I love Mark Bittman) and bits of health/science reporting.

The not-as-good stuff:
1) The 'don't worry, honey, you look great'/'this will hide your problem areas so no one will see what you really look like!' tone implying the women in the audience think they *don't* look great:
One of the first things I noticed in a previous issue was the overuse of the word 'still' in several pieces about skin care and fashion (something along the lines of 'you're still not in terrible shape, so you can still consider wearing something like this!' or 'you still have decent skin tone, so you don't need these kinds of products yet'). Also, much of the fashion advice is about covering up flaws. I find this tone to be extremely annoying - it assumes that I'm unhappy with the way I look and want to hide or fix things. Don't get me wrong - I'm as into the science behind anti-oxidant moisturizers as the next female. But I don't spend my mornings in front of the mirror tearing myself apart. Or my shopping sprees thinking about what clothes are best to hide in.

2) Generally unrelatable articles to my demographic:
In this issue 'is your hair aging you?' is wasted pages that I just flip over. I don't have 'multiplying grays', 'helmet hair' or 'granny bun'. And I'm not looking for a hair stylist who is the 'cheapest surgeon you'll find' (who's thinking about age-correcting plastic surgery in their 30s?) I don't know who Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is so I don't know what it means that no stylist endorses her look.
In another example, the author discusses issues with her feet. The are bits and pieces of this article that are relatable (mentioning what women can do to avoid problems is relatable and 'do you need an orthotic' isn't age specific) but for the most part I skim through this and say 'don't have that, don't have that, don't have that...' So this is only a useful article to me in that it shows me what is in store for me ten to twenty years down the road.

I hope this is helpful in some way!

Best,
Alexandra

I am surprised that your writing staff was too young to remember the reference used by Apple's Siri in your article, Is Siri sexist? on page 36 of the September 2012 issue. Daisy, Daisy was the song sung by the HAL 9000 computer as it was disassembled at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey; So, YES! Siri WAS programmed by a man.
--Oscar Navarrete

Share Your Thoughts!

Comments

I have been a supportive fan of More Magazine for years and appreciate the tag line: For Women of Style and Substance. When the October issue arrived, I immediately began leafing through the pages. While reading "A Field Guide to the Mature Male", I was floored by the disrepectful and low brow commentary. The magazine of style and substance has quickly morphed into that of the rude and crude. I am very disappointed in the editor's choice and believe an apology is in order. I have taught my teenage daughter to be civil and respectful. The magazine which treats her father in such a manner will no longer by placed on the coffee table for public consumption. Shame of the editors at More.

How and why would you include John Lennon in the Mature Man Hall of Fame for 1980? He physicall abused his first wife, Cynthia. He cheated on her, while still married, with Yoko Ono. And was estrangled with his son Julian. And you consider this a Mature Man? I certainly do not. He did honor or respect either of those individuals.

I loved the outfit feature on page 4 of the September issue (love the skin you're in). I couldn't find any information about it in the article. Can you share who the designer is and where to buy? Gorgeous!
Mary-Anne
Canada

I absolutely love More magazine. I have given it to friends as gift for the past few years. I loved your article on Diane Lane. I have always liked her but reading this article has made me love her.
Patty Matteo
Colorado Springs, CO

I'm liking the trend toward publishing articles with a little more substance. In particular, September Issue, "The Lawyer of Last Resort". Excellent article, excellent writing. It's nice to look at the pictures of all the lovely things to have and buy, but for real interest, the in depth articles are my favorite. Thank you!

Hi Sue Gilfoy, Sorry you're having trouble with the survey. We just checked and it looks like it's still opened. If you'd like to still take it, you could do so here: more.com/september-2012-survey. Thanks for the feedback! --MORE.com Editors

I am really tired of a general interest women's magazine, most of which I very much enjoy, using many articles as a forum to push politcal views and support particular candidates. I will let my subscription lapse the next time it comes up for renewal. I eagerly started reading your article "Why Testosterone is the New Estrogen" and ended up recycling the entire magazine after reading the first page of that article. Statements such as "And as we learned from Barack Obama, it takes only one person to make the picture look different" and then in the next paragraph statements about how wonderful the author believes Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pilosi to be are merely political, and have no place in this magazine. If I wanted to read a political magazine, I would buy one. I do not buy More for this and I do not want to see it, in particular in such a one-sided, biased manner. I am a successful professional woman, and I am a Republican. Please keep in mind that approximately 46% of Americans voted for the Republican candidate in the last election. I am offended by your obvious bias and your assumption, issue after issue, that everyone supports a certain party and the current president. This is not the case and statistics bear this out.

I enjoyed your brief article about the IPhone's Siri (p. 36, September 2012). But you missed the point when Siri sung the 1892 song, "Daisy, Daisy", which is actually called "Daisy Bell". According to Wikipedia (and anyone ever associated with or appreciative of the history of speech synthesis): In 1961 an IBM 704 became the first computer to sing, in a demonstration of Bell Labs' newly invented speech synthesis -- and the song was "Daisy Bell". In the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey the intelligent HAL 9000 computer during its deactivation loses its mind and degenerates to singing "Daisy". The reason the computer reverted to singing this song, according to the film, was because it was one of the first things HAL learned when it was originally programmed. The author of the story, Arthur C. Clarke, had seen the 1961 demo. So Siri was reminding you of her heritage, which is kind of sweet.

Just a note regarding teh Notebook item "Is Siri sexist?" In the movie 2001, when HAL the computer is being decommissioned, he regresses through his acquired intelligence. At one point he sings "Daisy," which was taught to him by his programmers in Uranna, IL, meant to be a dispaly of nuance and inflection. All 2001 fans - male and female -- appreciate the reference.

Just read the September issue and went on line to take the survey which is supposed to be open till 9/30. It is 8/30 and the website tells me the survey is closed. Why didn't you let it run till the date noted in Sept. issue? Anyway. . . a few comments. I have enjoyed your magazine for several years although I agree with a few of reader comments that it seems to be featuring younger women every month. What happened to celebrating the women who are in their 60's, 70's and even older? Surely there are some great "really" older women. Not every woman over 60 wants to be hidden away with a bag over her head. Many of us are proud of what we are doing and are living busy, vital lives - not sitting around waiting to get discarded. I enjoy many of your articles but find so many of your articles on fabulous fashions and beauty products to be way, way toooo expensive for the average woman of almost any age. In some issue your editors should challenge themselves to dress a woman head to toe for,say, less than $200 and look fabulous. Have you ever heard of resale? There are just as many classic styles just waiting to be discovered there as at Saks 5th Avenue or other high end stores.